MotoGP Championship Title Culminates in Spain

The stage is set for this weekend’s (delayed) MotoGP final round, the Motul Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona - running at Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (a late replacement for the rain-ravaged Valencia circuit, Circuit Ricardo Tormo). The championship battle features Monster Energy’s defending MotoGP champion, Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia (Ducati/Lenovo) vs. the challenger and overall ’24 MotoGP points leader, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing).

On paper, with a class-best ten MotoGP wins this season for Bagnaia – to Martin’s three wins – one would think that Bagnaia would have, at least, a descent lead heading into the final round in Barcelona. However, Bagnaia actually trails Martin by a fairly sizable amount – 24 points – 485 to 461. The reason? Martin stood out in the new (two years old) MotoGP Sprint Races, held on Saturdays prior to Sunday’s main events. In the Sprint Races Martin recorded seven wins, while Bagnaia struggled – including a few falls/DNFs – in the Saturday competitions.

Bagnaia has stated to the press that he commends Martin for his excellence in the Sprint Races, saying “Jorge was just better on Saturdays this season and we have to say he did a really good job there.”

Still, where Formula One, which first introduced the Sprint Race format in 2021 (and was then adopted by MotoGP two years later), only several F1 events feature an additional Sprint Races, whereas Sprint Races are now part of everyMotoGP weekend (20 total).

With MotoGP fans discussing the merits of this, ad nauseum, over the past several weeks, the fact remains that, between this weekend’s Sprint Race and main event, there are 37 possible points to be had with the ’24 MotoGP title on the line.

Dubbed the “Rematch” by MotoGP’s international media, in order for Bagnaia to catch Martin in both the Sprint and Sunday’s actual race, his Monster Energy-backed Ducati/Lenovo teammate, Enea Bastianini (currently 4^th overall), will play an important role in working to get between Bagnaia and Martin. And also keep an eye on future (2025) Monster Energy/Ducati/Lenovo team member, six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing), to run with the three aforementioned racers. Extra incentive to run up front for Bastianini and Marquez as well in that they’re battling for the third and final MotoGP podium spot, with Marquez leading Bastianini by one point, 369-368, heading into Barcelona.

“I need Enea,” Bagnaia said, flat out, in his recent Malaysian GP post-race press conference.

Two other Monster Energy-backed racers will be challenging to move up in the top ten overall standings at Barcelona as 8^th place overall Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Racing) leads 9^th place overall Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) by just a few points, 165-161.

And rounding out MotoGP’s top 15 for Monster Energy heading into Barcelona are Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Racing) in 12^th place (144 points) and Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) in 13^th place (108 points).

How to watch the Barcelona GP

TNT Sports has exclusive rights to the Barcelona MotoGP in the US. Every race has been broadcast on their truTV channel (trutv.com). Streaming is available via Max (max.com). Sling TV also has MotoGP available for streaming (sling.com).